Catering Chef

Continental Services • Toledo, OH

2d • $17 - $19

About The Position

The Catering Chef leads and executes daily culinary preparation and production for catering services, special events, and client functions. The role ensures food meets the company’s “Standard of Excellence” for flavor, presentation, recipe compliance, portion control, and production quality. The Catering Chef oversees food preparation, packaging, and delivery coordination while ensuring culinary operations are efficient, safe, and consistent to provide an exceptional client and guest experience.

The role also supports and guides culinary team members, maintains kitchen readiness and food safety standards, contributes to menu development, and coordinates with event coordinators, operations teams, and other stakeholders. The position requires adapting production to client needs, dietary requirements, event sizes, and deadlines while supporting cost efficiency and minimizing waste.

Requirements

• At least three years of culinary experience.
• Demonstrated experience in catering food preparation, production planning, recipe execution, portion control, and food presentation.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple catering orders and event requirements, meet production deadlines, and maintain consistent quality.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, proper food storage, temperature control, and allergen management.
• Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Proficiency with electronic communication, Microsoft Office Suite, and relevant culinary production, inventory, scheduling, or catering management systems.
• Candidates who do not hold ServSafe Manager and Allergen certifications must be willing to obtain them through the company’s ServSafe training program.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in culinary arts, hospitality management, or a related field; equivalent professional culinary or catering experience will be considered.
• Experience in a large-scale kitchen, catering operation, banquet facility, or high-volume food production environment.
• Experience with inventory management, product ordering, food cost awareness, and minimizing food waste.
• ServSafe Manager and Allergen certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily food preparation and production for catering orders, events, and special functions.
• Ensure food is prepared, cooked, portioned, packaged, labeled, and transported according to recipes, presentation standards, and food safety guidelines.
• Coordinate production schedules and preparation timelines to complete catering orders and events accurately and on time.
• Oversee catering services and special events to ensure food quality, presentation, and service standards are met.
• Ensure kitchen opening and closing procedures are followed, including cleaning, sanitation, and equipment shutdown.
• Support and guide culinary team members to maintain consistency, productivity, and accountability.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, flavor, freshness, presentation, and portion consistency.
• Follow recipes, production specifications, dietary requirements, and client requests accurately.
• Monitor production timelines and ensure orders are complete, properly packaged, and ready for delivery or service as scheduled.
• Communicate with event coordinators, operations teams, and other stakeholders about menus, special requests, production needs, and potential challenges.
• Identify and promptly resolve food quality or production issues.
• Stay informed about food trends, seasonal ingredients, catering techniques, delivery methods, and presentation styles.
• Contribute to menu development and creation of new dishes aligned with culinary standards, client expectations, and business objectives.
• Adapt recipes and scale production quantities for varying event sizes while maintaining quality, consistency, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with culinary and operations teams to develop menu solutions for client preferences, dietary restrictions, and event requirements.
• Seek opportunities to improve recipes, production processes, food presentation, and the catering experience.
• Maintain organization, cleanliness, and operational readiness of kitchen preparation areas, coolers, freezers, and storage spaces.
• Ensure proper food storage, labeling, dating, rotation, and temperature control.
• Assist with inventory management, product ordering, and production planning to maintain stock levels and minimize waste.
• Monitor ingredient usage, portion sizes, and production yields to support food cost management and operational efficiency.
• Comply with food safety, sanitation, allergen management, and workplace safety procedures.
• Maintain kitchen equipment and promptly report maintenance needs.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Parental leave
• 401(k) with company match
• At-work dining perks
• Flexible schedules
• Generous PTO
• Total rewards program
• Inclusive employee assistance program
• Location-specific perks may include wellness programming, on-the-job training, corporate-hosted courses, certifications, and team events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed